The Sangamon County Board has approved $7.5 million for the first phase of renovations at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health building on South Grand Avenue East. The County Board passed the ordinance unanimously at its Sept. 8 monthly meeting. After the vote, Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter invited board members to […]
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Grayson’s death likely to erase his conviction
In a legal twist that the family of Sonya Massey didn’t expect, the murder conviction of her killer, former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy, Sean Grayson, likely will be erased because of his death during an ongoing court appeal. Grayson’s lawyers cite the well-established legal doctrine of “abatement ab initio” – striking down something as if […]
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Residents bring open minds, skepticism to 19th Street Rail Corridor Open House
Springfield residents reviewed displays explaining the options for the 19th Street rail corridor improvements during a Sept. 9 open house at Washington Middle School. Linda Douglas-Williams said she attended to educate herself after hearing plans over the years for proposed changes. “We have done studies, and studies and studies,” she said. And, it’s really about […]
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Becoming a billet
Ask a veteran hockey player about their parents, and they’ll often answer: Which ones? For players that had enough talent to play for a junior hockey team, such as the Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League, there were their regular parents and their billet parents. New Jr. Blues defenseman Brady Anundsen, 17, […]
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Nominations open for 64th First Citizen Award
Nominations are open through Oct. 1 for the 64th Springfield Area First Citizen Award, and the recipient will be honored on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park. The award recognizes individuals whose extraordinary volunteer service and commitment have made a significant and lasting impact on Springfield and surrounding communities. The Community […]
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A man on a mission in Athens
Who is Sameer Somal, and what has he been doing in Athens? The 43-year-old Pennsylvania resident, entrepreneur and Abraham Lincoln historian has been a frequent presence in the Menard County community in recent months. Somal is on the board of the town’s Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum, and he envisions transforming vacant and available property […]
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Mental Health Board faces forks in the road
Some community members, including the former Massey Commission’s managing director, say the inaugural Sangamon County Mental Health Board has to better address the communities it is attempting to support if the board wants to be successful. Since the Mental Health Board began meeting monthly at the end of May, some of the specific asks have […]
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New ambulance for mental health crises
A Springfield Fire Department ambulance that specializes in helping Sangamon County residents during substance-abuse and mental health crises went into service Sept. 8. The Rescue 1 ambulance, part of the city’s BEACON Project – which stands for Bridging Emergency And Community Outreach Network – represents an increased communitywide focus on mental health in the wake […]
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Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey resigns amid criticism
Illinois’ legislature will once again soon find itself without a legislative inspector general. Michael McCuskey will resign that watchdog post amid criticism about his ability to handle investigations. It’s the latest twist for a post that McCuskey’s two immediate predecessors described as “broken” and a “paper tiger.” Prior to that, the LIG’s office sat vacant […]
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Lutheran High receives $6 million gift
Springfield Lutheran High School has received a $6 million donation to kick start its capital campaign for a new, permanent campus. The donation, from a charitable trust at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chatham, will bring “tremendous momentum to our building initiative,” according to an announcement from principal Zach Klug and board chair George Perkins. […]
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Hazardous levels of lead found in Taylorville park
The Illinois Department of Public Health has found a baseball field in Manners Park, located in Taylorville, has “high detections of lead.” IPDH’s Sept. 1 report, published with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, warns of elevated lead exposure for children and summer league baseball players who played on Field One of […]
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